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BETHLEHEM 



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BETHLEHEM 



A NATIVITY PLAY 

BY LAURENCE HOUSMAN 
PERFORMED WITH MUSIC 
BY JOSEPH MOORAT UNDER 
THE STAGE-DIRECTION OF 
EDWARD GORDON CRAIG 
DECEMBER MCMII 



THE L(I|^;/^}S'( 



THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

LONDON : MACMILLAN AND CO., Ltd. 
1902 

AJi rights reserved 






Copyright, 1902, 
By the MACMILLAN COMPANY. 

Set up and electrotyped December, 1902. 



m^ 



J. S. Cushing & Co. — Berwick & Smith 
Norwood Mass. U.S.A. 



- \ 



ACT I 



ACT I 

Chorus enters and speaks before the curtain 

Ye Gentles, that come here to watch our play, 
Put, we beseech you, thought of us away ! 
No standing here have we : in heart we kneel, 
With, at our hearts, this prayer, — that ye may feel 
How in Love's hands time is a Httle thing ! 
And so shall Love to-night your senses bring 
Back to the hills of Bethlehem, the fold 
Where shepherds watched their sheep, where angels 

told 
Of peace, goodwill to men, in Christ new-born, 
By whom, from Virgin Birth, our flesh goes worn. 
Also, if we may guide you, ye shall see 
The manger where in great humility 

3 



4 BETHLEHEM 

Lieth that Babe, the Maker of us all, 

By Mary's side, amid the beasts in stall. 

And ye shall see the coming of the Kings, 

Led by a star; and Gabriel that brings 

Unto St. Joseph in a dream by night 

Word of King Herod's fear, and counsels flight. 

So, lastly, ye shall see them rise and go. 

And the place vacant left. Yet ye shall know 

That Love remains, and that Faith sees it so. 

So, have ye hope ! let Time your trust increase ! 

Hark, I hear music ! Christmas comes ; 'tis peace ! 



Pastoral jnusic : a shepherd's voice is heard 

'The world is old, to-night, 
The world is old ; 
The stars around the fold 



A NATIVITY PI AY 5 

Do show their Hght, do show their light. 
And so they did, and so 
A thousand years ago, 
And so will do, dear love, when you lie cold.' 

\_The curtaifi opens, and discloses a bare field 
with a scarp of rock to the right: in the 
backgi'ound are low hills covered ivith snow. 
To the left lies a fold surroimded by high 
wattles. Under shelter of the rock six 
shepherds are gathered : overhead, with his 
feet hanging over the ledge, a boy wrapped 
in a sheepskin sits to keep watch, and at 
intervals give the ivatcher''s cry. 

Young Shepherd {sings) 

The world is still, to-night^ 
The world is still : 



6 BETHLEHEM 

The snow on vale and hill 

Like wool Hes white, Hke wool lies white. 
And so it was, and so 
A thousand years ago, 
And so will be, good lads, when we lack will. 

Watcher 
Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh ! 

1ST Shepherd 
There be good fairies up in air to-night : 
Come ere a frost so mild with stars so bright? 
The wind has shut itself in-door again. 
And all the air be saft like a'ter rain. 

Watcher 
Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh ! 



A NATIVITY PLAY 7 

2ND Shepherd {rising) 

The sheep be quiet; the dogs have nought to do; 
The lambs come kind; there haven't been a ewe 
Lost, nor a still one born, this moon, there an't : 
A thing I can't remember, nor I can't 
Since I've been shepherd : — that's nigh forty year. 



3RD Shepherd 
Well, well! 

4TH Shepherd 

What star be that'n out yonder there? 

It's been a-coming on, night a'ter night, 

This long time back, but never looked so bright 

As 'a do now. 



8 BETHLEHEM 

Watcher 
Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh ! 



4TH Shepherd 

D'you think stars have a way 

Of coming out like, special, when they got summat 

to say? 
I've often wondered how it is they are : 
You never seem to get no nearer to a star, — 
Walk after 'em a mile they still seem just as far. 



3RD Shepherd 

'Tis as God made 'em. Like as they were geese, 
Go a'ter 'em, and they turns tail and flees j 



A NATlVrrV PLAY 

Then you go back, and back they come at you ! 
So as God made 'em's what they got to do. 



1ST Shepherd 

Aye, I don't doubt the stars lays facts to mind. 
There's them as say men's names be marked and 

signed, — 
Writ in the roof up there, for proof that God's 

behind. 

Watcher 
Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh ! 



5TH Shepherd 

You think a star knows what it's all about, 
A-blazing for? 



lo BETHLEHEM 



1ST Shepherd 



I haven't got a doubt 

He does ! That star — now don't tell me no more. 
You think he don't know what he's shining for ! 
Look at him jerking and working, and a-winking and 

a-blinking : — 
Well, — that's him thinking. 



3RD Shepherd 

Well, if he thinks the things God sets him to, 
Like we poor men, he's got enough to do ! 



Watcher 

Ay-oh, ay-oh, ay-oh ! 



A NATIVITY PLAY n 

4TH Shepherd 

There's old blind Abe a-looking ! Don't he seem 
As if he saw it? 

2ND Shepherd 

Aye ! he likes to dream 
He's won his sight back, tho' it's been twelve year 

gone. 
Abe, what d'you think you've got your eye upon? 



Abel 

A good sight ! aye, and a sight as you can't see 
So well as I. The thought just come to me, 
While all of you sat talking by my side. 
Like to the word the prophet prophesied ; — 



12 BETHLEHEM 

And while you talked, the thought o' it kep' me 

dumb : — 
Shiloh, thinks I, — will I see Shiloh come? 
And all at once these words were in my head, — 
What he, — the man whose eyes were open — said 
Aforetime, ' I shall see him ; — but not now ! ' 
Says he, * I shall behold him ; — but not nigh : 
Out of Jacob there shall come forth a star, 
And a Sceptre in Israel shall be raised high.' 
So he bare witness of things seen afar. 
And that being told so many years ago, 
Yet still to come, do surely seem to show 
How we be hkeher to behold that star 
Than he who only spoke o' it from afar. 
And in that day, 'tis told, the dumb shall talk, 
The old shall leap, and the lame man shall walk, 
And the blind man recover back his sight ! 



A NATIVITY FLAY 13 

3RD Shepherd 
Well, well, it may be so ! God will do right. 

1ST Shepherd 

May we be there to see when that day shows : 
What it can do for such as we — God knows ! 

Watcher 
Ay-oh ! . . . 

\_Breaks off suddenly, leaps down from the rock, 
and seizing iST Shepherd, points terror- 
stricken, A sou7id of wind is heard. 

1ST Shepherd 

Why ! who be yon fine gentleman in white 
Stepping across the sheepfolds to the right? 



14 BETHLEHEM 

4TH Shepherd 
How comes it that his face be lit so bright? 

3RD Shepherd 

The blood pricks in my thumbs; 
'Tis like a ghost he comes ! 

\They huddle fearfully under the rock, crossing 
themselves. 

Enter Gabriel {^He makes the sign of the crvss) 

Gabriel 

Let nothing you annoy! 
Behold, I bring 



A NATIVITY PLAY 15 

Good tidings of great joy : 
To you a King 
This day is born, to you and all mankind. 
Even Christ the Lord, to earthly state resigned. 

3RD Shepherd 
Oh Lord, oh Lord ! was ever the like heard tell. 

Abel 

Hold ye your peace, neighbours ! he speaks us well. 

Gabriel 

And of that same 

Let this be for a sign. 
In Bethlehem 



1 6 BETHLEHEM 

Cradled amid the kine, 
A Babe in swaddling bands ye there shall find. 



4TH Shepherd 
Have you no fear? oh, Abel, but you're blind ! 



Abel 

Peace, and give ear ! New light shines in my 
mind. 

Gabriel 

And as a shepherd he shall feed 

His flocks, and in his arms shall bear 
The lambs, and like a father fair 

The ewes with young shall lead. 



A NATIVITY PLAY 1 7 

Angels appear 

Angels 

Semi-Chorus Semi-Chorus 

Glory to God In the Highest ! 

Who unto man Now comes nighest, 

Peace be to earth ! Goodwill to all ! 

Christ the new birth Redeems man's fall. 



Gabriel 

Ye holy and humble men of fearful heart, 
Be not afraid with these to take your part. 
To-night God gives you sight; then be not blind. 
Behold with us the high celestial mind. 
Ye also with one voice must here rejoice ! 



l8 BETHLEHEM 

1ST Shepherd 
We be poor mortals ! Here's all Heaven in sight ! 

Gabriel 
The Heavens themselves are joined with earth 

to-night. 
Fear not, but rise, Mercy and Truth are met; 
And Righteousness on Peace her seal hath set. 
Stand and be strong. 
Ye, too, shall share our song ! 

Semi-Chorus 
Glory to God ; on earth, peace, goodwill ! 
He smites with His rod, and the waters are still; 
He maketh it bud for the evil and good, 
He lifts the low valley and bends the high hill. 



A NATIVITY PLAY 



19 



Thou Christ art the Rod, and Thy reign shall be 

peace ! 
At the power of Thy nod, all warfare shall cease. 
The desert shall blossom and be as the rose, 
When the healing of nations from Bethlehem flows. 



Chorus and Semi-Chorus 



Glory to God 
Who unto man 
Peace be to earth ! 
Christ the new birth 



In the Highest ! 
Now comes nighest. 
Goodwill to all! 
Redeems man's fall. 
\^The Angels disappear. 



4TH Shepherd 
Sir, have we dreamed this? 



BETHLEHEM 



Gabriel 



Let your own hearts tell ! 
Do dreams bequeath such joy? Your bosoms swell, 
Your faces glow, your eyes are full of cheer ! 
Why are they so? Lately you had great fear, 
And stood as huddled flocks before a storm; 
Have dreams then made you warm? 



4TH Shepherd 

Oh, Sir, 'tis true. 
Yet scarcely do I know what next to do. 

2ND Shepherd 

You come wi' me, lad ! come along o' me ! 
We'll all be off to Bethlehem, and see 



A NATIVITY PI AY 2i 

What they be doing there ! Lord, Lord, I doubt 
Whether I'll know to find me way about 
With such high things a-happening ! 

Sir, you see 
There ain't much show about the likes o' we, 
But what I say's — if this be true — well, well, 
'Tis the best news that ever I heard tell ! 



1ST Shepherd 

And the best fortune any on us has had ! 
Lord, though, but don't it make an old heart glad ! 
Christ born ? You say it is so. Sir ? So be it ! 
Thank God that we should be alive to see it ! 



Abel 
Be He at Bethlehem? 



22 BETHLEHEM 

Gabriel 

Aye, there go ye ! 
While ye so fare, your folds shall guarded be ; 
Round them even now stand those ye do not see. 
Go ye in peace ! 

Shepherds 
We thank you kindly, Sir. 

Shepherds {sing) 
Now we will go, now we will go, 

The way we know to Bethlehem ; 
That they may show, and we may know, 

'Tis even so as you proclaim. 

And we will take the bread we bake. 
The wine we make as gifts to them, 



A NATIVITY PLAY 23 

And milk and cheese, and on our knees 
Will offer these at Bethlehem. 

And He shall know we love Him so, 

But cannot show a better way 
Of service dear, and loving cheer, 

Than we do here on Christmas Day. 

\_Exeunt several of the Shepherds. 

4iH Shepherd 
Sir, do you think that I might make so bold 
As offer Him a young lamb from the fold? 
Twas the first dropped this lambing time; maybe 
He'll take it kindly from the hkes o' we, 
We being simple shepherds. 

Gabriel 

Simple ? Yes ! 



24 BETHLEHEM 

'Would God, all minds had this same simpleness ! 
Take Him what gifts ye will ! To-night on earth 
All's peace to greet Christ's birth. 

\He makes the sign of the cross on them, and 
turns away. 



5TH Shepherd 

Noticed you that? 
He made the shepherd's sign : 'a did it pat ! 

Shepherds {without) 
Come on, lads, come ! 



4TH Shepherd 

Good-night, Sir. 



A NATIVITY FLAY 2$ 

Gabriel 

Peace befall 

You and your ways ! Good-night, friend ; good- 
night, all. \_Exeunt Shepherds. 

Shepherds {in the distance singing) 
And we will go, and we will go. 

The way we know to Bethlehem; 
That Love may show, and we may know, 

'Tis even so as you proclaim. 

[ With the song of the shepherds blends faintly the 
singing of afigels and swells till the song of 
the Kings is heard. Gabriel has covered 
himself with a shepherd^ s cloak and stands 
lea?ting on a shepherd ^s crook by the rock 
overlooking the fold. A light begins steadily 
to increase and flood the stage. Enter 



26 BETHLEHEM 

presently the Angel of the Star. As he 
crosses the stage^ hearing the Star in his 
hands, Gabriel kneels down in reverence. 
The Angel of the Star departs by the 
road to Bethlehem, 



Enter the Kings {they advance singing) 



1ST King 

Hear me, O King of Kings, 
And give me my desire ! 



2ND King 

Hive me beneath Thy wings, 
And guide my feet with fire ! 



A NATIVITY PLAY 27 

3RD King 
Unto that Holy Mount, 

Where forth from Thee goes Light. 



All 

Whence springs a Living Fount 
To wash the whole world white. 

\_The Kings descend and advance to the front of 
the stage. During what follows their trains 
pass in silence upon the way to Bethlehem^ 
led by the Star whose light is still seen 
diminishing. 

Gabriel 
Peace be with you, and hail ! 



28 BETHLEHEM 

Where go ye this fair night, 
Travellers, and what seek ye? 



1ST King 

We seek from the hill the vale, 
And from the vale the hill. 



2ND King 

From the ends of the morning, rest; 
And from the East the West. 



3RD King 

In the darkness we seek fire, 

And out of dreams the heart's desire ! 



A NATIVITY PLAY 29 

And, if to-day we fail, 
To-morrow we seek it still. 



Gabriel 

Are ye not weary, seeking so? 
Are ye not laden with care? 



1ST King 

We are not weary. If our feet be slow, 
'Tis with the burden of the Love we bear. 
It is our longing for the Light we seek 
Which makes us weak. 



Gabriel 
What is the longing of each one? 



30 BETHLEHEM 

3RD King 
Melchior, wilt thou first speak? 

2ND King 

Too slow my footsteps move 
For the goal I seek to prove. 
My body is a waste, 
Through which my soul doth haste, 
Famished until it taste 
^"•^ Its nameless new desire ! 
A flame my spirit owns, 
Ashes are all my bones. 
Love lights in me such fire ! 
I thirst ! my throat is dried ! 
I ask ; — am still denied ! 
Cry to be satisfied : 



A NATIVITY PLAY 31 

Yet only as Love will. 

Now, if He come not first, 

Not death, but ease were worst; — 

Let me die, thirsting still ! 



Gabriel 
And you? 

3RD King 

I have such Love ! 
Beauty, I know not of 
Hath laid on me the vision of its Light. 
When that Light shines, earth's ends 
Therein shall all be friends : 
They shall not hurt nor kill, but on the height 
Named Holy shall be peace. 



32 BETHLEHEM 

Then shall all warfare cease, 

And every king his crown 

Shall at the cradle of a new-born Babe lay down. 



Gabriel 



And thou, that standest last, 
Say what desire thou hast? 



1ST King 

For Earth's waiting to be done ; 

V' 

For God to send His Son, 
"* Godhead and man made one ! 
That creation, wrought afresh. 
May be finished and made whole; 
That the Word may become Flesh, 
And earth receive her soul ! 



A NATIVITY PLAY 33 

Pray we for this, 

Seeing well how good it is. 



Gabriel 
Behold, this night shall bring you to your bliss. 



3RD King 
Whence comes thy knowledge to make hope so 
near? 

Gabriel 
Oh, let your ears be opened till they hear ! 
Open your eyes, and mark with fearless sight 
The throng of thanksgiving which fills this night: 
Nor walks on heaven alone, but earth as well ! 
Sound in sweet tone, celestial choirs, and tell ! 

D 



34 



BETHLEHEM 



Angels {appearing) 

Glory to God In the Highest ! 

Who unto man Now comes nighest ! 

Peace be to earth ! Goodwill to all ! 

Christ the new birth Redeems man's fall 1 

1ST King 
Oh, ye blest sounds, be as the air we breathe ! 

2ND King 
Oh, fair things seen, your light to us bequeath. 



3RD King 
And if there be an ending to our quest, 
Show, now, where lies our rest ! 



A NATIVITY PLAY 35 



Gabriel 



Oh, Kings, your quest is ended now; earth joins 
To greet her Lord, in Heaven's exultant strains. 
Righteousness is the girdle of His loins. 
And faithfulness the girdle of His reins. 
The Spirit of God shall rest on Him, of might, 
Of wisdom, and of counsel, and of fear : 
He shall not judge according unto sight, 
Neither reprove by the hearing of His ear : 
But by His righteousness shall He do right, 
And with His equity the meek repay, 
Out of His mouth a rod the earth shall smite ; 
And by His breath the wicked He shall slay. 
The wolf shall make his dwelling in the fold, 
The leopard and the kid together play. 
The young lion with the fatling : and behold 
A Little Child shall lead them in the way ! 



36 BETHLEHEM 

Then like the ox the lion shall eat straw, 
The calf and the young bear be in one pen; 
The suckling from his hole the asp shall draw, 
And the weaned child play by the adder's den. 
They shall not hurt in all my Holy Hill 
Nor shall there any more destruction be : 
The knowledge of the Lord the earth shall fill, 
Even as the water covereth the sea. 
And He shall raise His people from their sin. 
This is the way of Life : walk ye therein ! 

\_A vision of a Young Child appears. 



1ST King 

Where shall we find Him? when throw off our 
load? 



A NATIVITY PLAY 37 



Gabriel 

In Bethlehem Peace makes His fair abode. 
Yonder His star still Hghts you to your road. 

\_The Kings depart Gabriel makes the sign 
of blessing, and is taken up into Heaven. 



ACT II 



ACT II 

\The inn-stable at Bethlehem. An open courts sur- 
rounded on three sides by cattle-sheds with thatched 
roofs. In the cent7-e stands a ^ cradle^ for fodder, 
above which hangs a canopy 7'udely constructed of 
a cloak thrown over a traveller's staff thrust into 
the eaves of the thatch, from which also hafigs a 
small lantern. Above the roof shows a clear 
starlit sky. At the back of the stable to the right 
is a door opening to the street : to the left a cave 
in a wall of rock, shut off by a large grille, behind 
which the beasts are stalled. Mary reclines in the 
* cradle,^ with the child concealed beneath her robe. 
Joseph sits near by to the left. His shoes lie near 
41 



42 BETHLEHEM 

him, together with lantern, water-skins, and saddle 
packs. He bends over a scroll of parchment. 
Without voices are heard singing. 

'Noel, Noel, Noel,' 

Sang the church bell; 
'God's in His Heaven, 

This know well ! ' 

'Noel, Noel, Noel,' 

Ding, dong-bell, 
'God from High Heaven 

Comes on earth to dwell.' 

'Noel, Noel, Noel,' 

Bells ring on earth, 
'Come and know well 

This bright Birth ! ' 



A NATIVITY PLAY 43 

Joseph {rising and advancing to the cradle) 
Sleepest thou, Mary? 

Mary 

I sleep not, I pray ! 
Behold, on me my Lord His Head doth lay. 
Look how in sleep He takes a mortal's rest : 
See where His Hand is laid upon my breast ! 

Joseph 
Mary, I dread to see ! 

Mary 

Nay, come more near; 
But wake Him not ! 



44 BETHLEHEM 

Joseph 

Alas ! I have such fear. 

Mary 

I, too : my soul is glad through very dread 

While in this chamber God doth make His bed : 

For now our eyes behold the glorious Birth 

Which shall uplift again low-fallen earth. 

Here, where He rests, amid these hollowed rocks, 

I hear the world's heart move in joyful shocks, 

The pulsing of her rivers and her springs : 

I feel the air beat with the throb of wings : 

And farther up, amid the heavenly maze. 

The stars and planets with adoring gaze 

Look down and say, * O maid with favour stored 

How com'st thou to be Mother of our Lord?' 



A NATIVITY PI AY 45 

What can I answer, I? Let Gabriel 

Speak to those heavenly questioners, and tell 

How by the Holy Ghost this came to be ; 

How power from the Highest o'ershadowed me. 

Till in my heart God came Himself to lie, 

Perfect fulfilment of all prophecy. 

Naught may I know save this : His handmaid I. 



Voices 

' Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum ! 
benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus 
ventris tui, Jesus.' 

\_A knocking is heard, mid a sound of pastoral 
music. Joseph, crossi?ig before the crib, 
makes a reverence. He goes to the door. 



46 BETHLEHEM 

Joseph 
Who knocks ? 

Shepherd {without) 

A friend : we be all friendly men 
We be the shepherds. 



Joseph 

* Come in, shepherds, then 

Here's welcome waiting you ! Behold and bless 
The peace within your gates, the plenteousness ! 



The Shepherds enter. As they come within sight 
of the crib they draw their hats over their 
faces and dowfi to their breasts. They dip 



A NATIVITY FLAY 47 

their fingers in a water-stoup, cross themselveSy 
and kneel. Mary makes the sign of the cross 
to them in greeting. 

1ST Shepherd 
Mother of God, welcome to Bethlehem. 

Mary 
Shepherds of Israel, welcome to Christ's Birth. 

Omnes 

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee ! 
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is 
the fruit of thy womb — Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother 
of God, pray for us sinners now, and in the hour 
of our death. Amen. 



48 BETHLEHEM 



Mary 



Behold the handmaid of the Lord ! 

So as His Word hath His Way been; 

Now Earth to Heaven doth room afford; 

The Godhead veiled in flesh is seen. 
Come and adore, in form of man, 
The Word that was ere worlds began. 

\She raises herself, and sits with her mantle 
still covering the Holy Child, 



Omnes 

Mother Mary, hail ! 

And of thy Grace, 
Lift away the veil 

That hides God's face ! 



A NATIVITY FLAY 49 

Here God lies 

For a short space. 
Mary, Mother wise, 

Show us God's face ! 

Mary, all the lands, 

Mary, all the seas. 
Gather in thy hands 

To thy dear knees ! 

Mary, maiden white, 

Mother pure within. 
Show to mortal sight 

Love that cures sin ! 



1ST Shepherd 
Mother Mary, may we see God? 



50 BETHLEHEM 

Mary 

Stand near in faith, behold. 

Be comforted by Him ! 
Here, shepherds, is your fold. 

Abel 
Lady, I cannot see : mine eyes are dim. 

Mary 

Come near, in faith : come near ! 

Thou shalt win sight. 
Doubt not : have thou no fear ! 

Abel 
Lady, mine eyes be healed and full of light ! 



A NATIVITY PLAY 51 

Mary 
Even so, even so, 
Let Earth perceive and know ! 

[Joseph aiding, Mary lifts her mantle, and 
reveals Christ to them. They all kneel and 
bow themselves. 

1ST Shepherd 
Son of God, shine on us ! 

2ND Shepherd 
Lamb of God, look on us ! 

3RD Shepherd 
Shepherd of men, set Thy sign on us ! 



52 BETHLEHEM 

4TH Shepherd 
And lay Thy yoke on us ! 

5TH Shepherd 
And we will be thankful. 

[Mary again covers the Child. 

1ST Shepherd 

Queen, Mother, pardon me who make so bold 
To speak; but hearts grown full be hard to hold. 
To-night, as Heaven hath willed, have come thy way 
Poor folk with meagre speech yet much to say. 
So, if word lack, let thine own wisdom fill : 
And — give me countenance, — I'll not speak ill. 
Dear Mother, pray for us ! FooHsh we be. 
Untaught and rude : but what we see we see. 



A NATIVITY PIAY 53 

And what we hear we hear; to what's above 
Our heads we bow : and what we love we love ! 
And, loving thee since our first entrance in, 
Do thereby more love God, and more hate sin; 
And of all lips would have thy lips to pray 
Pardon for us and peace to seek His way. 

Fair Mother, we have old men here among. 
As thou may'st see ; and thou, we see, art young : 
Yet the name 'Mother' runneth to the tongue 
That seeks a name for thee. May we not all 
Thee as our Lady and our Mother call, 
For thy Son's sake? 

Mary 
Amen. So, shepherds, do ! 
Call as love bids you, and I'll answer you. 

\_The Shepherds fiow advance and present their 
offerings. 



54 BETHLEHEM 

1ST Shepherd 

Mother, I have laid bread here at thy feet. 
For thy Son's sake, I pray thee take and eat ! 



2ND Shepherd 
Mother, I bring thee milk. 

3RD Shepherd 

I bring thee cheese. 

4TH Shepherd 

I have brought nuts. Strengthen His teeth on 

these, 
When they begin to pair. 



A NATIVITY PLAY 55 

5TH Shepherd 

Also here's wine, 
Good for a festal, or when frost bites fine. 
Also my cloak is thine. 

6th Shepherd 

Dear Mother, for God's sake, 
Wilt thou, I prithee, take 

This firstling from the fold? 
It is so beautiful, 
And thereto hath warm wool 

To ward one from the cold. 
Take it, then, to thy lap 

Beside thy Son : 
It may keep warm, mayhap, 

The Blessed One. 



56 BETHLEHEM 

Mary 
It shall keep warm my heart, shepherd, to thee. 

7TH Shepherd 

Mother, my empty hands do me a wrong : 
No gift have I, but in my lips a song 
Such as we shepherds sing. 

Mary 

Such songs are best. 
To-night your lips shall lull the Shepherd's King 
To rest. 

7TH Shepherd 

The world is old to-night (sings). 
The world is old : 



A NATIVITY PLAY 57 

The stars around the fold 
Do show their Hght. 

And so they did, and so, 

A thousand years ago. 
And so will do, dear Love, when you He cold. | 

(Speaks.) Nay, nay, but I can sing no more thereof;! 
I had forgot the sadness of the end ! 



Mary 

Thou hast but prophesied how men shall scoff 
Even at Love, my friend. 

\Knocking is heard, 

Joseph 

Ho, there without ! Who knocks ? Come ye in 
peace ? 



58 BETHLEHEM 

Kings {without) 
Kings, seeking it, we come ! 

Joseph 
Here enter, and find ease ! 

The Kings enter, and advance kneeling three times, 

1ST King 
Blessed be God ! 

Omnes 
Blessed be God ! 

2ND King 
Blessed be His Holy Name ! 



A NATIVITY PLAY 59 

Omnes 

Blessed be His Holy Name ! 

3RD King 
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man ! 

Omnes 

Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man ! 

1ST King 
Oh, finished quest ! 
Oh, rest! 

2ND King 
Oh, Fount, that first 
Of all hath satisfied my thirst ! 



6o BETHLEHEM 

3RD King 
Oh, Light, 

That brings me sight ! 

\The Kings approach in turn, and kneel before 

the cradle, 

1ST King 
Thou Birth Divine, 

Behold, 
The earthly sign 
Of power and kingship, gold, 
Here in my hands I hold. 
And offer, to be Thine. 

2ND King 
This frankincense 
Let be 



A NATIVITY PLAY 6l 

A symbol whence 

All men may learn to see 

How veiled a mystery 

Defeats man's sense where Godhead deigns to be. 

3RD King 

Oh, Comforter of souls, 

I bring thee myrrh. 
When grief my heart controls 
And darkness round me rolls, 

Sweet Saviour, be Thou near ! 

The Three Kings 

Thanksgiving, Praise, and Prayer, 

Three offerings meet, 
We lay in equal share 

Before Christ's feet. 



62 BETHLEHEM 

Mary 
Your welcome gifts, 
Proffered in love, from Earth to Heaven He lifts. 



The Kings 

Now see we Love on Earth His throne ! 
All we have known. 

Or hoped to gain, 
Was this alone — 

That He might reign. 



Omnes 

That He might reign ! 
Oh, welcome Birth ! let all adore 
The Christ made Man for evermore. 



A NATIVITY PLAY 63 

The Shepherds 

'Tis Christmas morn, 

Come ye, and bow the knee .' 

Lo, here we see 
The perfect Man is born. 



Chorus 

{In alternate parts, Kings and Shepherds) 
For this fair Birth 

(Which now we see) 
Shows forth God's worth 

(Then sing we merrily !) 
And makes glad earth. 
And brings man mirth 

(So sing we merrily this fair Birth !) 



64 BETHLEHEM 



The Kings 



'Tis Christmas Day, 

Oh pray, — put off your sins ! 

This day begins 
For man the perfect way. 



Chorus {as before) 
For this fair Birth, etc. 

\During this song the attendaiits of the Kings 
creep softly in and kneel in an outer fifig 
under shadow of the sheds. 

Omnes 

Mother Mary, give us thy Son's Blessing. 

\_All kneel. 



A NATIVITY PLAY 6$ 

{They sing) Mary, Gate of Day, 

Lend thine intercession ! 
Holy Mother May, 

Pray for my transgression ! 

Ere He yet touched Earth, 
He did first touch thee ; 

Through thy perfect worth 

God reached down for me. 



Mary. \_Rises and stands in the cradle under 
shadow of the canopy, displaying the child in 
her bj'east, still partly covered by her veil. 
Joseph and one of the Shepherds lift and 
draw back the ends of her long robe. 

The word expressed 

In Flesh hath come : 



66 BETHLEHEM 

Against my breast 

The Voice lies dumb, 
That shall be of all prophecies the sum. 

Oh, Thou dread Voice 

Of Heaven's decree, 
Who madest choice 
To dwell with me, 
Now through my lips, this once, let utterance be ! 

My Peace I leave, 

My Peace I give : 
All that receive 

The same shall live; 
And tribute hearts win joy retributive. 

The Cup I bless. 

The Bread I break, 
Is Righteousness ! 

L.cFC. 



A NATIVITY PLAY 67 

Draw near and take ! 
Eat, drink, and hold remembrance for Love's sake ! 

The peace of Peace, 

Outpassing sense. 
Give your minds ease 
When ye go hence. 
Love, peace, and pardon be your recompense. 

Omnes 

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee ! 
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the 
fruit of thy womb — Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of 
God, pray for us sinners now, and in the hour of 
our death. Amen. 

Mary 

Kings from far countries have ye come to see 

A King whose reign shall make all kingdoms free. 



68 BETHLEHEM 

Low at His feet your crowns ye cast to ground; 
From this day forward ye shall go more crowned; 
For, named hereafter, ye shall be named wise. 
Seeing that in Heaven ye watched Christ's star arise. 
Great kings ye came : but much more great ye go, 
Who to His state have bowed yourselves so low. 
And you, dear Shepherds, to your settled folds 
Return, and father your sweet flocks to rest ! 
Though Heavenly signs depart. Heaven's purpose 

holds 
Where Earth's Redemption slumbers at my breast. 
Look where He Hes ! Kiss ye His feet, and go ! 
Your Shepherd He : whose sheep are ye, I know. 

\_Now, as she speaks^ one by 07ie they advance 
and do homage, and return to their places. 

When mothers teach to babes their mother-tongue, 
This tale shall first be told — 



A NATIVITY PLAY 69 

How to His birth ye came in days of old, 
While starlight led and seraph-voices sung. 
So, in that story, shall your names stay young. 

Farewell ; give thanks for this ! Ye to Christ's 

fold 
Are come. Take all the bliss that hearts on 
earth may hold ! 

\_An kneel in silence. The starlight fades and 
the stage da^-kens : only the light of the 
lantern remains. One by one Shepherds 
and Kings rise, make a 7'everence toward 
the crib, cross thejnselveSj and depart. 
Joseph closes the door after them. He lets 
down the curtains of the canopy over the 
sleeping Mother and Child, lays by the 
offerings of the Shepherds and Kings, 
and sinks down wearily to rest. In the 



70 BETHLEHEM 

surrounding darkness appear the faces of 
angels watching. They disappear after 
Gabriel has spoken to Joseph. Outside 
the Shepherds and Kings are heard sing- 
ing till their voices die away in the distance. 

Shepherds and Kings {without) 
I heard on Christmas night 

The loud bells ringing : 
'New Life and Light 

Christ comes bringing ! ' 

Cho7'us 
Oh, that is true, is true, 

And better could not be ! 
So God bless you ! 

And God bless me ! 



A NATIVITY FLAY 71 

I heard on Christmas night 

The glad news peahng: 
'Christ to human sight 

Now gives heahng ! ' 

Oh, that is true, is true. 

And better could not be ! 

So God bless you ! 

And God bless me ! 

I heard on Christmas night 

The High Heavens telling: 
'Christ who left His height. 

On earth finds dwelling ! ' 

Oh, that is true, is true. 

And better could not be ! 

So God bless you ! 

And God bless me ! 



72 BETHLEHEM 

From Mary, Queen of Might, 
Comes down sweet saying : 

'I hear, on Christmas night, 
All poor hearts praying ! 



!' 



Oh, that is true, is true, 

And better could not be ! 

So God bless you ! 

And God bless me ! 



Enter Gabriel 



Gabriel 

Servant of God, sleep not, awake ! 

Saddle the ass ere dawn of day; 
The Mother, and the young Child take 

Whom Herod seeketh now to slay. 



A NATIVITY PLAY 73 

Get thee hence ere the wakening bird 
Hath sung : to Egypt win thy way : 

There, till I come and bring thee word, 
Shalt thou in hiding stay. 

As thou hast heard, make haste, obey ! 

\_Exit. Joseph Hes heavy with sleep: he stirs 
slowly and, with great pain, rising, goes and 
kneels where the angel has stood. Then he 
goes to the stable and makes 7'eady, opening 
dooi's beyond which lead on to the street ; 
then returning he rouses Mary frotn sleep, 

Joseph 
Mary, arise; hence must we go 
Even before the dawn of day. 



Mary 
It is God's will? 



74 BETHLEHEM 

Joseph 

'Tis even so : 
His angel's word. 

Mary 

Which we obey. 

\They go out to the stable, whence presently the 
sotmd of hoofs is heard as they pass forth. 



Voices of Carol-Singers {without) 

God rest you, merry gentlemen, 
Let nothing you dismay ! 

Because that Jesus Christ our Lord 
Is born on Christmas Day ! 



A NATIVITY PLAY 75 

\_Bells are heard, and dawn begins to show. A 
Stableman stiDubles in heavy with sleep and 
carrying a lanteim. He looks roimd stir- 
prised to find the place empty. Then on 
the gr 01171 d he discove7's three gold coins 
lying. He kneels before the empty crib. 

[Curtain] 

Enter Chorus 
Chorus 
O maid and Holy Child, where have ye gone? 
Lost are the voices : sets the Star that shone : 
Back to their folds have gone the shepherd-band : 
Each king is now returned to his own land. 
Love is gone forth into the. .world, to win 
Saints to their rest, and'i^mners back from sin. 



■^mers 



76 BETHLEHEM . 

Gentles, O ye that here have watched our play, 
Tell me, I pray you, did He pass your way? 
Say, have ye Him, safe, each one in his breast? 
Oh, hold Him well ! So shall we all have rest. 
The Grace of Jesus Christ, who is our Lord, 
The Love of God, the Holy Ghost's accord, 
Be with us all ! And Heaven be our reward ! 

Amen. 



THE QUEST OF HAPPINESS 

A Study of Victory over Life's Troubles 

By the Rev. NEWELL DWIQHT HILLIS 

Pastor of the Plymouth Church, Brooklyn ; Author of " The 
Influence of Christ in Modern Life," etc., etc. 

Cloth i2nio $1.50 net 



Dr. Hillis has divided his work into seventeen chapters bear- 
ing on Happiness in its Relation to Personal Growth, Success, 
and Influence, and the Victory over Trouble and Suffering. He 
has an interesting chapter on the Inequalities of Happiness by 
reason of the Inequalities of Gifts more Apparent than Real. 
He discusses the problem of Work and Occupation, the Sense 
of Sympathy with an Enthusiasm for One's Fellows, Happiness 
through Conversation and the Cultivation of the Social Life, and 
the Friendship of Books, and the Fellowship with Nature 
through the Imagination. 

The titles of some of the more important chapters give a very 
good index to the scope of the book. They are. The Eternal 
Helps to Happiness — Money, Travel, Exercise, and Amuse- 
ments ; Three Arch Enemies to Happiness — Fear, Debt, and 
Worry ; The Art of Irritating Men and the Diffusion of Unhap- 
piness ; The Prisoners of Hope and the Great Men who have 
been Victors over Life's Troubles ; Social Happiness and the 
Redemption of Society through Tools and Machinery ; The 
Increase of Happiness through the New Art Movement and the 
Diffusion of the Beautiful ; Happiness and the Religious Prob- 
lem : Does God Care for Men ? The Depression of Great Men 
and their Victory also ; A Plea for the Best that Glimmers 
through the Worst ; Happiness and the Unity of Life Here and 
Hereafter. 

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

66 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK 



THE HOLY LAND 

Pictured in Color 
By JOHN FULLEYLOVE, R.l. 

Described by the Rev. John Kelman, M.A. Containing up- 
wards of 70 full-page illustrations reproduced in the colors of 
the original paintings. 

Cloth 8vo $6.00 net 

The book is in three parts, of which the first is geographical, 
and the second historical. These, however, are in no sense 
scientific studies of the geography or the history of Palestine ; 
they are only the record of such impressions of these as any 
inexpert but open-eyed traveller to-day may receive, and they 
lead up to the third part, whose subject is "The Spirit of Syria." 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST AS REPRE- 
SENTED IN ART 

By FREDERIC W. FARRAR, D,D., F.R.S. 

Late Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge; Archdeacon and 
Canon of Westminster; Chaplain in Ordinary to the Queen 
and to the House of Commons. With numerous illustrations 
and frontispiece. New and cheaper edition. 

8vo Cloth Gilt Top $3.50 

"The life of Christ, as told by the chief artists of all time in 
their most striking works, is here most effectively arranged with 
a luminous and edifying commentary text by a writer thoroughly 
prepared for his task. ... It is a book delightful to read. 
The illustrations cover a large field of the most important art- 
activity of mediaeval and modern times," — The Independent. 



THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

66 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK 



DEC iau2 



80 1 



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